United Make U.S. Open Cup an All-MLS Affair; Defeat Rhinos 3-0

Jul 26, 2000

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, July 26, 2000) - Under a consistant drizzle, United took another step towards end of the season hardware by handily dispatching the Rochester Raging Rhinos at RFK tonight 3-0. From the opening whistle United dominated their A-league opponents. Two goals from US Olympian Chris Albright, and three assists off the cultured left boot of Marco Etcheverry provided more than enough offense for United. Etcheverry has now assisted on the last six goals that United have scored. United now find themselves riding a four-game unbeaten streak as they break for All-Star Weekend.

United's opening tally came off the left foot of Chris Albright; initially. The Olympian took a delightful feed from the Black-and-Red's midfield maestro Marco Etcheverry and smacked a left-footed drive toward the Rochester goal. En route, Albright's effort took a deflection off a Rhino defender and shot past a stunned and rooted Scott Vallow. For the remainder of the first half United kept possession and waited patiently for the move that would break the Rhino back four. But in fairness to the Rochester side, they remained organized and compact despite giving up the 12th minute goal and broke down United's efforts to grab more.

The second half was more of the same. United dominated in every facet of the match and in the 59th minute the Black-and-Red had stretched their margin to two. The Magic Triangle of Diaz Arce, Moreno and Etcheverry were the architects of a free-flowing move. Diaz Arce collected a ball in the centre of the field, found Etcheverry streaking on the right. The Bolivan made his way to the endline then found Moreno at the edge of the six, and the United marksman made no mistake.

Rochester did little to trouble United's back four all evening and the Black-and-Red always looked like they were going to advance. In the final minute Albright added to his goal count by slotting home a ball that was dropped onto his feet by Etcheverry. A minute later it was over and United had advanced to the next round of the US Open Cup where they will face the Miami Fusion.

"First and foremost, we got the result that we wanted, a win. These games are never easy. Rochester has proven in the past that they can play MLS teams and beat MLS teams. We didn't underestimate this team. In the end, you walk away 3-0 against a team that in its last five outings has beaten MLS teams."

PAT ERCOLI, Rochester Rhinos head coach

"I think the guys left it all on the field for us. Being our third game this week, obviously it showed. We weren't pressuring as well as we would have liked to. Consequently, they did what they're very good at and that's penetrating through the middle."

CARLOS LLAMOSA, D.C. United defender

"For us, this was a very important victory, our third in a row. We need to play the rest of the season with this kind of confidence and try to win the eight remaining games."